Brooke Weston

News Item

First performance for BTEC students

BTEC Performing Arts students from Year 12 gave their first public performance in an adaptation of a play dealing with depression. The original script was edited in a pared-down half hour production featuring video, music and lighting effects and minimal props. The play was staged in the drama theatre in front of parents and teachers.

Ciaran McLaughlin said:'"4.48 Psychosis" by Sarah Kane is a criticism of how people as a society deal with depression. There were lots of scenes in the piece so there was a great deal to concentrate on, especially as I had quite a few costume changes.’

Emma Goodman added: ‘We have had previous performances but this was the first one in front of an audience. We did research into depression because we wanted to show it in its purest form, hence the stark staging, rather than putting too many props in that crowd the piece and draw the audience’s attention all over the place.’

Teacher Miss Duguid said: 'The students managed to dissect and edit a very mature and complex script which progressed into a powerful production. They took time to research and reflect on their own experiences and infused the drama with their findings, I was proud and impressed with the final production and the sincerity in which it was performed. The subject matter was sensitive and the students were eager to produce an earnest interpretation of the script.'